You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Are any of you football fans? I think it’s football season, right? Please don’t throw tomatoes at me. They’ll only hit the computer screen. It’s just not worth it… I’ll have you know, I went to a football game in high school (once). I was cheering for effort and sometimes for the wrong team. I don’t really want to talk about it.

You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It’s just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it’s own. My family members gobbled it up.

This is yet another recipe from DeAnna Pavlenko who shared her Healthier Carrot Cake recipe a few months back. DeAnna, thank you so much for sharing your amazing food with the rest of us!

Taco Salad Dip Ingredients:

1 package Taco Seasoning Mix (we bought Original Taco by McCormick)
1/4 cup water
1 lb lean ground beef (I purchased 7% fat)
1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese (any size curd)
1 cup salsa (we used our roasted salsa, but you can use any salsa)
2 cups (8 oz) finely shredded medium cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded green lettuce such as iceberg
2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
1 avocado, diced, optional
Cilantro for garnish, optional
Taco Chips (or any kind of firm tortillas) to serve

Taco Salad Dip

How to make Taco Salad Dip:

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef (No need to add oil). Drain with a paper-towel if there is excess liquid. My 7% beef didn’t have any extra juices to drain.

Taco Salad Dip-4

2. Combine 1 packet of taco seasoning mix with 1/4 cup water. Once the beef is fully cooked, stir the taco seasoning mix into the beef and remove from heat to cool down.

Taco Salad Dip @natashaskitchen

3. In the bowl of a food processor (we are using the Cuisinart Prep 11-Cup Food Processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup salsa until well combined and smooth.

Taco Salad Dip-3

I could just dip my chip right in there.

Taco Salad Dip-7

4. Spread beef into the bottom of a 9×13-inch glass baking pan, or into individual glass ramekins if you want to get fancy, or if you have time to kill. Top the meat with the blended cream cheese mixture.

Taco Salad Dip-8

5. Sprinkle evenly with finely grated cheese. Top with sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro (if using). If you aren’t serving right away, you might squeeze some lime juice over your avocado to keep it from browning, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve (if you have the will power not to eat it right away).

Taco Salad Dip-11Taco Salad Dip-10
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.

Serve with Taco chips; naturally. These are the organic chips from Costco. They are so good. My husband has to pull the bag away from me when I finish my dip because I just keep eating the chips (true story). :-O

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Taco Salad Dip Recipe

5 from 12 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.
You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 -10
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning Mix, we bought Original Taco by McCormick
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 lb lean ground beef, I purchased 7% fat
  • 1 8oz package cream cheese
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, any size curd
  • 1 cup salsa, we used our roasted salsa, but you can use any salsa
  • 2 cups 8 oz finely shredded medium cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
  • 1 avocado, diced, optional
  • Cilantro for garnish, optional
  • Taco Chips, or any kind of firm tortillas to serve

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, brown ground beef (No need to add oil). Drain with a paper-towel if there is excess liquid. My lean 7% beef didn't have any extra juices to drain.
  • Combine 1 packet of taco seasoning mix with 1/4 cup water. Once the beef is fully cooked, stir the taco seasoning mix into the beef and remove from heat to cool down.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup salsa until well combined and smooth.
  • Spread beef into the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking pan, or into individual glass ramekins. Top the meat with the blended cream cheese mixture.
  • Sprinkle evenly with finely grated cheese. Top with sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro (if using). If you aren't serving right away, you might squeeze some lime juice over your avocado to keep it from browning, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with Taco chips; naturally.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
Keyword: seven layer dip, Taco Salad Dip
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$

Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag banner

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Claudia
    February 27, 2024

    This was a hit. I love how this recipe included shredded lettuce.
    I used a mix of jack and cheddar cheese because I didn’t have enough cheddar. I also used my homemade tomatillo salsa instead of red salsa. I added finely chopped red onion to the top. I tossed the avacado in lime juice to keep the avacados fresh.
    It was like eating an actual taco with each chip bite. I will definitely make again.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 28, 2024

      Hi Claudia, thanks for sharing your experience making this recipe. So happy to hear that you loved it!

      Reply

  • Olga
    February 23, 2021

    Hi Natasha. I was wondering what dressing do u use when u make taco salad?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      Hi Olga, I haven’t made a taco salad in a while, but ranch is often used.

      Reply

  • Lisa
    July 20, 2020

    Do you make your own roasted salsa? If not what brand do you use. (:

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 20, 2020

      Hi Lisa, we use our own roasted salsa but you can use any brand too.

      Reply

  • Dana
    November 6, 2017

    Is it spicy ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 7, 2017

      Dana, this dip is normally not spicy but you can control the spiciness by the kind of salsa will be added.

      Reply

  • Svetlana Razumovsky
    April 11, 2017

    This recipe is sooooo good!!! I made it once to a youth party and now I’m being asked to make it again and again!!! So easy to make also!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 11, 2017

      I’m happy to hear that everyone loves the recipe! Thanks for sharing Svetlana!

      Reply

  • Monica
    February 10, 2017

    Excellent dip!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 11, 2017

      I’m glad to enjoyed it Monica! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.